How does John Conteh do against...

John at his very best beats them all except for Tunney. All of them would let him know that he's been in a fight.

 

Yaqui Lopez is the only world-class fighter Conteh ever beat. He was cute, he was clever, but he seems to be reaching the legendary ESB status previously afforded only to the likes of Jimmy Young and Pipino Cuevas.

All of the above best Conteh. One-handed John could compete, but mostly couldn't get over above top-tier competition.

 

Errrr.........? Ahmuada was a pretty good world class fighter. Chris Finnegan was as well.

 

:nonoNow you stop that right now Saintpat!!

 

Yes, Ahumada was a fine fighter, but to evaluate Conteh's worth by that fight, you have to remember that Galindez beat him even more so. I think it all comes down to the old Conteh vs Galindez question.

 

I do agree with you Stevie G that John was a superb fighter.

 

Who is the best fighter Ahumada ever beat?

Right place, right time to take a retiring Bob Foster to a draw, but not a prime Foster.

But what scalp does Ahumada have on his wall that qualifies him as a distinguishing victory for Conteh -- who got over him by the hair of his chin in Conteh's own back yard?

Finnegan was 24-5-1 when he fought Conteh, not exactly a record that makes him stand out as a top-tier guy in his day. Finnegan had been stopped twice, then beaten a couple of respectable journeymen, in his last four fights before facing Conteh the first time. Finnegan's best scalp, I presume, was Mike Quarry -- who was 3-3-3 in his last nine fights at that time. Our man Finn was a good Euro-class fighter, not a world-class guy IMO.

Conteh was a fine, fine fighter. He was good enough to give anyone a difficult go in his prime. But he didn't beat anyone the stature of Saad Muhammad, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, Michael Spinks, Victor Galindez or Marvin Johnson -- the murderer's row at 175 pounds during his peak years. He was just a cut below that level.

 

Conteh burnt out to fast. I remember when he had to apologize for getting drunk and running naked through hotel hallways night after a fight. I am still a fan of his, wish him and Galindez had fought. Them getting half a title each after Foster retired was beginning of era that continues today, champs not fighting each other.
Tunney and Loughran would win, other two would be good fights. Pastrano was tough, but also through away career, worse than Conteh.
I think if him and Galindez had fought ( I would pick Galaindez, but it is very close match) the winner would be deserving of comparison to past champs. Galindez loved fast life too, it is why he lost to Rossman in first bout.

 

I would say:

Lopez
Ahumada
Parlov
Schmitdke
Finnegan x2
Hutchins

Were all World class. He also beat Bogs, more of a middle of course, and Rondon, past his best.

He also displayed way more skill than most fighters, let alone Young and....my word, Cuevas.

 

I'd actually favour Conteh over Loughran. A close fought battle of the jabs with Conteh having more offensive tools at his disposal, and not having to worry about Loughran's power the Scouser does the better work. Conteh on points in a very close one.

 

You can, I dunno. Actually watch these guys fight and realise "Oh yeah, they're world class no doubt. A lot better than many fighters considered world class to day." Radical I know.
As for Conteh he was past it by the time he fought Saad, nearly one handed to boot and yet still nearly got there. So I do think he's quite clearly on those guy's level.

 

That's the one.

he also beat Schmitdke, the man who beat Finnegan.

Ahumada was World class, but I also had Conteh by a good few points there. He also beat Parlov, who wasn't useless, adn was around the top of the division when the murderers row were. Boring? Yes. But he didn't compete evenly with those guys because he was ****.

 

This. Conteh was a very, very good fighter who should have become a great fighter. Mickey Duff said he was the most talented fighter he had ever worked with. He had a deep mistrust (maybe even paranoia) of managers & promoters, once describing himself as the meat in the sandwich. He was one of the first sportsmen in the UK to "crossover" to celebrity status, enjoyed the night life that came with that status too much, was an addictive personality, came from a dirt poor background, all this overwhelmed him and due to all this he burnt out quickly.

I would pick a peak, top form JC over Johnson, Galindez & yes, Saad. Of the mid/late 70s early 80s LHWs I would only make Spinks a favourite over him, Qawi & Mustafa pick 'em, the rest I would back JC.

JC had it all at his best. Class, boxing ability, speed, stamina, intelligence, decent durability and spite and nastiness by the bucketload.

What a shame we only saw his best all too briefly.